The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-07-09
Washington News and Gossip.
From our Special Correspondent.
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rTOm our DDtCldl OOlIcSpOuuNIib.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July A. 'S7.
Mr.. EDITOR. Notwithstanding the hot
weather which prevails here there are more
Senators and Representatives in the city
than were ever known before in this month
of the year except when Congress was sit
ting. The only reason that can be assigned
for it is that the fiscal year of the Govern
ment closed on the last day of June and the
appropriations we're available after July
first. 1t is not generally known outside of
the Capital that there are more changes in
the Federal Offices on the last of June to
take effect the first of July than at any
other time in the year. 1t is like settling
up old accounts and starting with new
force. Congress at its last session provided
for large increase in the force of the
several departments, and also created many
new Federal offices throughout the whole
country, and it is after these new offices
more especially than for retention of favor
ties in positions already secured that these
statesmen are here. 1t is pretty warm
peals fer office, but still the President
stands the interviewing and importuning
with equanimitY of mind, good nature and
proverbial stoldity. After the fatigue of
the day he drives out to Oak View and re-
gales himself in the cool of the evening
with pleasant social chat with members of
his family and guests who studiously avoid
discussing any of the weightY care of State.
The Old Mexican veterans are happy over
the dispatch with which their claims are
settled. The Pension office has recognized
the necessity of prompt action in these
cases owing to the advanced age of most Of
the claimants and so has put big force
upon them. If the papers are properly pre-
| pared and the claim substantiated when
filed, the claimants usually can obtain a
! final settlement in from two to three
months. As a rule in other cases it is a
year or more before they are reached for
action, and then comes delay after delay
caused by absurd calls for additional evil
dence. As rule the Office requires a
claimant to prove his case many times over
by calling for such evidence that ne court
would give any weight to. This serious
delay to the interests of the claimant is
not willful on the part of the Government
but due TO the total ignorance of the law
of evidence by the large majority of the
clerks whose business it is to pass upon
the sufficiency Of the proofs submitted.
There is perhaps no bureau under the goy-
ernment where such a large proportion of
its force should be thoroughly familiar with
the PRINCIPLES of the law of evidence as that
of the Pension Office, and yet it is difficult
TO conceive of less Informed body OF men
ON that subject than the clerks in that Of
fee. If the soldier element would demand
more efficiency in that branch of the goy-
ernment it would get it.
The Civil service compulsory examina-
tien in the departments for promotion ia
now being held and there is much anxiety
as to the result. This examination in the
War Department was closed one week age
and the result just announced shows that
all except seven passed. What will become
ol lho lVho scfSH - nov thS qucotlon. ne
rules do net inquire the summary dismissal
of these who fail to pass but leave it to the
discretion of the Department whether te
retain or dismiss. The probability is that
in most cases dismissal will follow as there
are many applicants eager for the places
and as soen as it is learned that there are
places that can beeonsistently made vacant
under color of law, the appointing power
VIII have no rest until the vacancies are
made and filed. Pie way the position.
are obtained is to receive an appointment
as a messenger o. laberer aud lhen being